Apparatus for pressing clothing



June 1,\l935. s. H. M FARLAND 2,005,435

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING CLOTHING Filed July '7, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wm vMQ/Vi ya jume 18, 1935. s. H. M FARLAND 2,005,435

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING CLOTHING r 7 Filed July 7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J N a a u 7' 4/- ig w 15 Z5 I .4 Z Y/IGHTL'NING & 6 l 1110 Patented June 18, 1935 NETED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

19 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for pressing clothing and more particularly to such apparatus for special use in pressing trousers and the like without the application of heat.

As is well known, unless trousers are pressed at very frequent intervals they soon become loose and baggy in appearance, much tothe detriment of the wearer. Due to the trouble and expense it is not feasible to send ones' trousers to the tailor or pressing establishment every day, but if the owner of the trousers possessed a pressing device of the nature herein described the trousers could be very easily and quickly inserted in this pressing device at night before the wearer retires and removed in the morning, thus keeping the trousers in pressed condition every day.

Among the objects of this invention is to provide a home pressing device requiring no heat but built sumciently strong and rigid that a pair of trousers or other article of wearing apparel can be placed therein at night and removed nicely pressed in the morning. 7 7

Another object is to provide such pressing device that will be quickly available for use, easily manipulated and eiiicient in operation.

A further object is to provide a separate pressing board adapted to lie fiat between the trouser legs, this pressing board having an indentation formed in one end such as to lit the curvature of the crotch of the trousers.

A still further object is to provide improved and eiiicient means for applying pressure to press the pressure plates toward each other for pressing the trousers therebetween. 7

Another object of my invention is to mak possible a pair of pressing plates hinged together along one edge and having pressure applying means which may after the pressing operation is completed be quickly released at the non-hinged side of the plates to permit swinging the top plate upwardly from the bottom plate, and also capable of being quickly attached for pressure applying purposes when the top plate isswung down against the bottom plate or againsta pair of trousers therebetween.

A further object is to provide a pressing device having improved means for adjusting the amount of pressure to be applied to said device.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities will later become more readily apparent.

My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and.- While I have shown therein a preferred embodi-j ment I wish it understood that the same is sus of the respective plates.

ceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings:--

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved pressing device with the hinged pressing plates open and a pair of trousers in position to be applied between the pressing plates but shown for sake of clearness to one side of the device.

Fig. 2 is a top plan. view of my improved device showing a pair of trousers being pressed therein.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view partly broken away of that portion of the pressing device carrying one of the pressure applying mechanisms.

I Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of'Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an edge view on the line 55 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 8-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

, Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 3.

V Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the operating lever thrown to the opposite position from Fig. 6 so as to loosen the pressure between the pressing plates.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the operating lever thrown from tightening position to loosening position to loosen the pressure between the pressing plates.

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail showing the means for holding the pressure applying'shaft against accidental rotation.

Fig. 12' is a vertical transverse section through a pressing device embodying my invention and taken approximately on a plane closely adjacent one of the rotatable operating shafts.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, my improved device is shown in Fig. 1 to comprise the bottom plate and the top plate 2 hinged thereto along one edge by a pair of hinges indicated generally at 3-. Each of the bottom and top plates I and 2 are preferably covered by any suitable fabric 4 and 5 such as linen or the like, this fabric being preferably glued to the faces Also in Fig. 1 slightly removed to one side is shown a pair'of trousers 6 in position to be inserted into the pressing device. To facilitate the pressing of the trousers I preferably use a pressing board B made of any suitable material and likewise covered with linen or other suitable fabric and adapted to be placed flatwise between the two legs of the pair of trousers. This pressing board is formed at one end with an indentation C of such shape as to fit the curvature of the crotch of the trousers.

Assuming the trousers to be arranged as shown slightly removed to the right from the pressing plates in Fig. 1, they will be placed upon the bottom plate l and the top plate 2wil1 then be closed down thereon and the pressure applied. Each of the plates I and 2 are of material sufficiently rigid to prevent deformation during the pressing action. These plates may be' made of wood, metal or other suitable material.

It is, of course, understood that when trousers are being pressed in this device, instead of arranging them separately as shown to the right in Fig. 1, this arrangement may be effected by first laying one leg of the trousers on the bottom plate l, and after smoothing it into the correct position then laying thereon the pressing board Bwith the indentation C fitting around the curvature of the crotch of the trousers, and then laying and smoothing out the upper trouser leg on top of the pressing board B and then swinging the top plate 2 downwardly upon the trousers. If it is not desired to press the culfs of the trousers they may project slightly beyond the end of my pressing device, or if it is desired to press them they may be positioned slightly within the end of the pressing device so as to receive pressure.

The pressure applying means will now be described. Plates and 2 are hinged together along one edge, this hinge comprising the fiat piece of metal l secured by screws or the like 8 to the edge of the lower pressing plate. Hingedly connected at 3 to the upper side of this portion 7 is in upstanding ear 9. Formed in the upper end of the ear 9 is opening it! of such irregular shape that when the eccentrically located pin H is moved around because of rotation of the transverse shaft !2 this pin H will move to the top part of opening it and cause the top plate 2 to be pressed downwardly toward the bottom plate 5.

A keeper !3 is secured by screws or the like [4 to the edge of the top plate 2, this keeper having a recess l5 formed therein, in which recess the upstanding ear 9 has a longitudinal sliding movement to permit the plates l and 2 to move toward and away from each other under action of the pressure applying means. Fixed to the opposite edges of the top plate 2 are cars 56, there being one for each end of each of the rotatable shafts 82, these ears it having an aperture I! therein, in which apertures the shaft i2 is rotatably mounted. Formed or fixedin any manner desired to each end of each of the shafts i2 is a pin l i eccentrically mounted in order to have the general action of a crank shaft when the shaft 52 is rotated. As stated above, these pins H on the hinge side of the pressing plateswhen the shaft is rotated in one direction move upwardly to the top of opening I!) and then engage the top of this opening, and from then on until the pin H reaches its uppermost movement causes car 9 to move upwardly through keeper [3, thus causing the pressing plates 4 and 2 to move toward each other. A reverse rotation of shaft l2 will release this pressure in a manner'that will be readily understood.

Rotation of shaft 22 is effected through the medium of the handoperated handle 68 provided with a finger piece #9, this handle being fixed by a screw 28 or other suitable means to shaft 52. The collar of the handle 58, which collar surrounds shaft :2, is provided with an enlarged portion 2!, which has sliding movement in a groove 22 formed in plate 23 secured to the top of the top plate 2. This enlarged portion 2| when the shaft has been rotated into tightened position as shown in Fig. '7, has more or less of a binding action in the groove 22 and tends to prevent accidental rotation of the shaft I 2 out of tightened position.

Upon the free edge of lower plate I and directly opposite the hinge 3 is a device for releasably engaging the adjacent eccentrically located pin H, so'that when the top plate 2 is swung down upon the bottom plate I this engagement may be effected for applying pressure to the trousers or other garment being pressed, and after such pressing action is completed may be released to permit the top plate 2 to be swung upwardly away from the bottom plate I. This arrangement of parts will now be described.

Adjustably fixed to the edge of the bottom plate is an upwardly extending ear 24 having therein a recess 25, in which is pivotally mounted the finger 26 provided at its top with the hook portion 2'? (see Figs. 8, l0 and 12). The lower end of the finger 26 is formed with an enlargement 28 which may either be pivotally mounted upon a pin passing therethrough or loosely pivoted in a somewhat larger opening 29 as desired. Any connection between these parts permitting the finger and hook 2? to have a lateral rocking motion may be used. Normally tending to press the finger 26 toward the right as viewed in Fig. 8 is a spring 33. When the top plate 2 is swung away from the bottom plate I spring 30 will hold finger 26 against the shoulder 3|, the free end of the hook member 21 when the finger is in this position still standing far enough away from the upper right hand edge of the metal forming the recess 25 in order to provide the open throat 32, through which the eccentrically mounted crank pin it may pass when the top plate 2 is swung downwardly against the bottom plate I (or against the trousers or other garment that may be positioned therebetween); or if the pin is not in exact position to freely pass through this throat 32 it will strike the beveled edge 33 formed at the free end of hook 21, and this beveled edge 33 acting like a cam will press the finger 28 tothe left, as viewed in Fig. 8, until the pin H has passed underneath hook 27, at which time spring 30 will press finger 26 to the right to its extreme limit.

When pin H is thus'inse'rted through throat 22 to be in a position below the free end of hook 27; rotation of shaft l2 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, will carry pin l l around until it engages the hook member 21, and from then on until pin. l I reaches its uppermost move ment will pull upwardly on hook 21, which in turn will' transmit this upward pull to car 24, and thus apply a clamping pressure to move plates l and 2 toward each other to apply pressure to whatever article is positioned between the pressing plates 1 and 2.

Ear 24 is slidably mounted within a recess 34 formed in keeper 35, which is secured by screws 36 or the like to the edge of the top plate 2. Ear 24 is also adjustably mounted in a more or less similar keeper 31, which is secured by screws or the like 38 to the edge of the bottom plate I. Fixed in the recess 39 of keeper 3'! is the plate 40, in which is mounted the threaded screw 4!, which has threaded engagement with ear 24, as shown'at 42. 'Secured by screws or the like 43 to the bottom of. ear 24 is a plate or shim l l, which may be applied or removed as desired for the purpose of making the ear 24 occupy a higher or a lower position. As will be obvious from the above description the rotation of screw 4! will cause the ear 24 to move upwardly or downwardly for adjusting purposes to accommodate the pressing of thicker or thinner articles in the pressing device. While I have described only one of this assembly of parts associated with ear 24, it will be understood that this description also applies to the similar parts located at the non-hinged end of shaft l2 for as many others of these shafts as may be used. For convenience I have shown two of these shafts l2 in the draw ings, but a greater or less number may be used as desired.

From the above it will be seen that when each of the shafts i2 is rotated in the appropriate direction to relieve the pressure between plates l and 2, the eccentric or crank pins II will move into alignment with throat 32, after which the top plate 2 may be swung upwardly away from the bottom plate 5! the reverse movements being effected for again bringing these parts into engagement and applying pressure between .the plates 5 and 2.

It is also apparent that other specific forms of the parts described may be used without departing from the spirit of my invention, the broad idea being to provide parts that will apply pre sure between plates 5 and 2 upon movement of the eccentric pins H and also permit disen gagement of the parts at the non-hinged side of the pressing device to permit swinging the top plate to open position.

The pressing device described herein is such as to be quickly manipulated and apply considerable and adjustable pressure as desired to the article being pressed, which pressure may be retained as long as desired and quickly and easily released when it is desired to remove the article being pressed from between the top and bottom plates l and 2.

Having now described my invention,

I claim:

1. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a rigid bottom plate, a rigid top plate, said plates being hinged together along one edge, an upstanding ear on one edge 'of the bottom plate, an upstanding ear on the opposite edge of the bottom plate and opposite the first mentioned car, a pair of keepers on the top plate through which said ears have sliding movement, and means extending across the upper surface of the top plate for simultaneously causing each of said ears to slide vertically through its respective keeper to move said plates toward each other to press an article of clothing therebetween.

2. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a rigid bottom plate, a rigid top plate, said plates being hingedi tog-ether along one edge, an upstanding ear on one edge of the bottom plate, an upstanding ear on the opposite edge of the bottom plate and opposite the first mentioned car, a pair of keepers on the top plate through which said ears have sliding movement, and means extending across the upper surface of. the top plate for simultaneously causing each of said ears to slide vertically through its respective keeper to move said plates toward each other to press an article of clothing therebetween, one of the ears forming part of the hinge for said plates.

3. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, an upstanding ear on one edge of one of said plates, an upstanding ear on the opposite edge of the last mentioned plate and opposite the first mentioned car, a shaft rotatable about its longitudinal axis and extending across the outer face of the other plate, and means on the outer ends of said shaft cooperating with said ears whereby upon rotation of said shaft the plates will be pressedtoward each other to press an article of clothing therebetween.

4. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, an upstanding car on one edge of one of said plates, an upstanding ear on the opposite edge of the last mentioned plate and opposite the first mentioned ear, a shaft rotatable about its longitudinal axis and extending across the outer face of the other plate, and means on the outer ends of said shaft cooperating with said ears whereby upon rotation of said shaft the plates will be pressed toward each other to press an article of clothing therebetween, and a pair of keepers secured to the edges of said other plate, said ears being slidable through said keep-- ers upon rotation of said shaft.

5. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, one of said plates having a pair of upstanding ears, and means on the other plate cooperating with said ears for pressing said plates toward each other, said means comprising a shaft rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having its opposite ends provided with oif-set means engageable with the respective ears.

6. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, one of said plates having a pair of upstanding ears, and means on the other plate cooperating with said ears for pressing said plates toward each other, said means comprising shaft rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having its opposite ends provided with offset means engageable with the respective ears, and a pair of keepers fixed to said other plate, said ears being slidable in said keepers.

'7. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, one of said plates having a pair of upstanding ears, and means on the other plate cooperating with said ears for pressing said plates toward each other, said means comprising a shaft rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and having its opposite ends provided with offset means engageable with the respective ears, a pair of keepers fixed to said other plate, said ears being slidable in said keepers, and apertured ears fixed to said other plate one adjacent each of said keepers, said shaft being rotatably mounted in said last mentioned ears.

8. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in cornbination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, one of said plates having a pair of upstanding ears, and means on the other plate cooperating with said ears for pressing said plates toward each other, said means comprising a shaft rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having its opposite ends provided with offset means en-- gageable with the respective ears, a pair of keepers fixed to said other plate, said ears being slidable in said keepers, apertured ears fixed to said other plate one adjacent each of said keepers, said shaft being rotatably mounted in said last mentioned ears, and means on said shaft to facilitate rotating the same. i

9. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in conibination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge a rotatable shaft extending transversely across the outer face of one of said plates, and means associated with the ends of said shaft and said plates for pressing the plates toward each other upon rotation of the shaft, and meansfor releasing one end of said shaft from one of said plates to permit the plates to be swung open when the shaft is rotated to a predetermined position.

10. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, an car on the hinge side of one of said plates, an ear on the opposite side ofthe same plate, a shaft rotatably mounted on the outer face of the other plate, the ends of the shaft being formed to cooperate with said ears for pressing the plates toward each other upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, and for moving the plates in a direction away from each other upon rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, the end of the shaft and the ear on the non-hinged side of the plates being constructed and arranged to permit their separation when the shaft is rotated to a predetermined position to permit said plates to be swung open.

11. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together, one of said plates having a pair of upstanding ears oppositely positioned one on each edge, the other plate having a pair of keepers slidably receiving said pair of ears, said other plate also having an apertured ear slightly spaced from each keeper, a shaft rotatably mounted in said apertured ears, an eccentrically mounted pin on each end of said shaft and extending into the space between the apertured ear and the keeper, said first mentioned ears each having a portion adapted to receive and be put under tension by said eccentrically mounted pins upon rotation of said shaft.

12. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together, one of said plates having a pair of upstanding ears oppositely positioned one on each edge, the other plate having a pair of keepers slidably receiving said pair of ears, said other plate also having an apertured ear slightly spaced from each keeper, a shaft rotatably mounted in said apertured ears, an eccentrically mounted pin on each end of said shaft and extending into the space between the apertured ear and the keeper, said first mentioned ears each having a portion adapted to receive and be put under tension by said eccentrically mounted pins upon rotation of said shaft, one of said first mentioned ears forming part of the hinge.

13. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together, one of said plates having a pair of upstanding ears oppositely positioned one on each edge, the other plate having a pair of keepers slidably receiving said pair of ears, said other plate also having an apertured ear slightly spaced from each keeper, a shaft rotatably mounted in said apertured ears, an eccentrically mounted pin on each end of said shaft and extending into the space between the apertured ear and the keeper, said first mentioned ears each having a portion adapted to receive and be put under tension by said eccentrically mounted pins upon rotation of said shaft, one of said first mentioned ears forming part of the hinge, and the other of said first mentioned ears being adjustable vertically with relation to its plate.

14. In apparatusfor pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates hinged together at one edge, an upstanding ear on one edge of one of said plates, an upstanding ear on the opposite edge of the last mentioned plate and opposite the first mentioned ear, a shaft rotatable about its longitudinal axis and'extending across the outer face of the other plate, means on the outer ends of said shaft cooperating with said ears whereby upon rotation of said shaft the plates will be pressed toward each other to press an article of clothing therebetween, and means for holding said shaft against rotation.

15. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates movable toward and away from each other, ears and keepers on said plates, the ears being slidable in said keep ers, means for pressing one plate toward the other, one of said ears having a pivotal hook, said means having an eccentrically mounted pin for engaging said hook when applying said pressure.

16. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates movable toward and away from each other, ears and keepers on said plates, the ears being slidable in said keepers, means for pressing one plate toward the other, one of said ears having a pivotal hook, said means having an eccentrically mounted pin for engaging said hook when applying said pressure, and a spring for normally urging said hook in one direction.

17. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates movable toward and away from each other, ears and keepers on said plates, the ears being slidable in said keepers, means for pressing one plate toward the other, said means comprising a rotatable shaft rotatably mounted at each end respectively in a fixed apertured ear, each end of the shaft having an eccentrically mounted pin, one of said ears having a pivotal hook, one of said eccentrically mounted pins engaging said hook and applying clamping pressure thereto when the shaft is rotated in one direction, and being freed from said hook when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction whereby to permit said plates to be moved apart.

18. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates movable toward and away from each other, ears and keepers on said plates, the ears being slidable in said keepers, means for pressing one plate toward the other, said means comprising a rotatable shaft rotatably mounted at each end respectively in a fixed apertured ear, each end of the shaft having an eccentrically mounted pin, one of said ears having a pivotal hook, one of said eccentrically mounted pins engaging said hook and applying clamping pressure thereto when the shaft is rotated in one direction, and being freed from said hook when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction whereby to permit said plates to be moved apart, and a handle to facilitate rotating said shaft.

19. In apparatus for pressing clothing, in combination, a pair of rigid plates movable toward and away from each other, ears and keepers on said plates, the ears being slidable in said keepers, means for pressing one platev toward the other, said means comprising a rotatable shaft rotatably mounted at each end respectively in a fixed apertured ear, each end of the shaft having an eccentrically mounted pin, one of said ears having a pivotal hook, one of said eccentrically mounted pins engaging said hook and applying clamping pressure thereto when the shaft is rotated in one direction, and being freed from said hook when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction whereby to permit said plates to be moved apart, and a handle to facilitate rotating said shaft, one of said ears being hinged to its plate, and the other of said ears being vertically adjustable.

SAM I-I. MACFARLAND. 

